Do you still believe that more means better for your skin? Explore why cutting back on beauty products could be the game-changer your skin needs, and how to start
The sheer volume of product releases and video hauls can make it seem like you’re always missing out on the next big thing. Before you know it, you have three new face serums and five lipsticks piled up next to last month’s unboxed ones. Being mindless about your purchases can thus lead to a mountain of unused and unfinished products, and worse, a skin routine in chaos. But news flash: you don’t need all these products, and adhering to skinimalism may just be your secret to healthier and happier skin.
RELATED: Build Your Glass Skin Regimen in This One-Stop Beauty Shop
Understand the Skin You’re In
The first step to refining your regimen is revisiting the basics. To make smarter purchases, it pays to understand your skin and what it truly needs, and then buy only what aligns with those needs. Is your skin type leaning towards dry, oily, or a combination of both?
Amid the ever-changing Philippine weather, your skin needs a consistent ally. Purify your face with gentle cleansers—your safest option for facial washes, as it is non-irritating, pH-balanced, and suitable for dry to normal, sensitive skin. It pays to know your skin, so you know how to better take care of it.
Say ‘No’ to Overwhelmed Skin
With the allure of flashy products and their strategic marketing, you’re not to blame for giving in. It’s hard to resist, especially when they promise to tackle your skin issues or offer the next must-have blush shade: the one you swear you don’t have yet.
But as is true with anything, too much of one thing can be problematic. Think of your beauty regimen as an overstuffed suitcase; cramming in more and more products would only leave your skin overwhelmed. Take AHAs and BHAs, your top exfoliators for smoother skin. If you mix them with a Vitamin C serum, you’re in for a disaster. Both are potent chemicals, and together, they can only irritate your skin, causing redness, sensitivity, and a damaged skin barrier. And who wants unmanageable skin?
Go for Multi-Use Products
Brands release beauty products left and right, so the urge to splurge is real. Tip? Consider multi-use makeup products or those designed to serve multiple functions in your routine. Doing so reduces the risk of introducing too many ingredients to your skin and clogging your pores. Moreover, using fewer products on your face may also prevent the overuse of harsh ingredients, leaving your skin barrier happy.
Try out Five Beauty’s Hybrid Color Sticks, which markets itself as multi-purpose sticks you can use as your lipstick, blush, and eyeshadow. Plus, it’s packed with five skin-boosting ingredients to make you look and feel beautiful.
Own Less to Gain More
It then becomes clear that when it comes to your beauty routine, less is more. This allows your skin to breathe and your products to work more effectively. But this isn’t just about using less; it’s about buying less, too. The secret? Purging your collection of unnecessary items and only keeping the essentials could lead to a more effective routine.
To further commit to skinimalism, many are trying out the Project Pan challenge. This involves the mindful practice of “hitting pan” or fully using up your products before using and purchasing new ones. Here, makeup enthusiasts alike shift their focus to maximizing the value of what they already own and being more intentional about using them. This echoes Tiktok’s latest buzzing trend, “underconsumption core,” which celebrates the usage of as few items as possible.
We live in the age of hyperconsumerism which we greatly owe to our favorite influencers and brands’ aggressive marketing strategies. But if you’re all for skin wellness rather than trend-chasing, skinimalism is your best choice.
Featured Image MEGA ARCHIVES
Photos: CRISTINA BEE (via Instagram)
